“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).

How much more plain could that be?

When I am praying, God expects me to forgive.

Otherwise, He won’t forgive me.

And neither will He pay attention to my prayers.

So if I have an unforgiving spirit, why bother praying?

If I do not forgive, I show that I value my grudge more than I value God and my relationship with him.

Forgiving gives me freedom to pray.